Five Star City Move Up To Third

As I'm sure many other City fans were, I was shocked to see Mancini start the game with a 4-4-2 formation. It seemed he removed the 'shackles' from the team and allowed them to attack. I can't remember the last time I watched such a good performance from the team, even Balotelli had a good game.

Adam Johnson opened the scoring after just 9 minutes with a superb move and finish, Yaya Toure played the ball to Johnson who played a sublime one-two with Yaya for Johson to slot home in the bottom corner. Brilliant goal

David Silva played a brilliant pass over the top to Tevez who then took a touch and was taken out for a penalty, he stepped up and slotted the ball past the keepers fingertips for 2-0 and he's back on track for the Golden Boot.

More good passing football saw the ball at Balotelli's feet for a blocked shot that Silva was happily running onto for a clip into the corner for number 3. Game over

The 4th of the afternoon came with substitute Vieira's first touch in the game, a first touch with his thigh at that!. He slid into it after a cross-shot from Kolarov and it just edged over the line before the keeper sweeped it clear. The goal was rightly given though 4-0

The final goal was a gift after a suicidal pass by Cattermole, great chasing up the right wing by Kolarov saw the Sunderland captain make a catastrophic error. Only for the ball to land nicely for Yaya Toure who took a brilliant touch between 2 defenders and clipped the ball into the corner of the net.

Brilliant stuff from City today and that International break did us a world of good, the whole squad did very well but if I had to pick some stand-out performers they would have to be Silva, De Jong, Kompany and Balotelli. No-one had a bad game though

I hope Mancini plays less restrained from now on, especially in the Semi-final against Man Utd.